"I'm not sacrificing your future, Em."
"I thought we were a team. That it was 'our future.' It's our house, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Both our names are on the deed. Our parents left it to us.
"Refinance the loan. Get the cash that way. It's what I want."
"That's what you want, me buying Inked Hearts?"
"I think about things besides myself."
"I'm not—"
"Yeah, you are. You're annoying, Brendon, but I do love you. You're my only brother." She pushes herself to her feet. "If we're a team, I want to be part of your decisions. Like Kay staying here. Or you becoming a small business owner. I want that. You know how I dream about owning my own boutique."
She does. She'd be great at it. But not until she finishes school. "You need to focus on college."
She rolls her eyes. "You didn't go to college and you're doing fine."
"Even so."
"I thought about it. You don't have to refinance. Not if I loan you the money."
We inherited equal parts of Mom and Dad's life insurance. Most of mine went to keeping shit together the first few years, while I was still training. But I made sure she never had to touch hers. "No way, Em."
"I won't ask for interest. I just... I want to be able to see the whole process. To see the day-to-day."
"I've offered a million times." Ryan and I basically run the shop now.
"And I'm finally saying yes. You don't need that much. I'll still have plenty for college. Even if I do my last two years at some expensive private school." Her expression is fierce.
This is what she wants.
My sister, the future small business owner.
Usually her stubbornness is a thorn in my side. Right now, it's filling me with pride. What the hell did I do to get Emma to grow into such a confident young woman?
That's one thing I can do right.
Taking care of Em, looking out for her—that fills me with a pride that nothing else can match. Not even finishing a perfect tattoo.
"You want to be a part of this?" I ask.
She nods. "Of course."
"Come to our meeting today. It's at two."
"I don't get off work until two. But okay. I'll figure it out." She smiles. "Thanks, Brendon. You... You aren't always the worst."
"High praise."
She nods. "I know." She pulls me into a quick hug. "I have to go. But, um, make sure Kay is all right. She's been quiet the last few days."
"Yeah. I will."
"You have any idea what's going on with her?"
No, but I want to. "A lot's changing in her life. And then there's school."